How To Maintain Results After Cosmetic Surgery

Maintaining your results after cosmetic surgery reduces the likelihood of requiring additional procedures. Timely follow-ups allow for less-invasive treatments to address any concerns. Consistent care also helps achieve natural-looking outcomes that align with your goals. Here are a few ways to preserve your results after plastic surgery:

Follow Aftercare Instructions Closely

When you undergo plastic surgery, your surgeon will provide guidance on how to prepare for the operation. The surgeon also provides aftercare instructions to follow once the procedure is completed. Aftercare instructions are personalized and unique to the operation, meaning that a facelift won’t have the same requirements as a rhinoplasty. Follow your surgeon’s instructions strictly, especially concerning wound care, medication, and activity restrictions.

Avoid skipping follow-up appointments and contact your surgeon if you experience any unusual symptoms. Forgetting to follow or altering your plan can slow down the healing process or compromise the results of your cosmetic surgery. If you have questions, ask the surgeon for clarification during your appointment. Adhere to timelines for suture removal and resume normal activity only after your surgeon approves it.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Weight fluctuations can impact the outcomes of cosmetic procedures, including liposuction, tummy tucks, and body contouring. Even facial surgeries like rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty, which are not directly related to fat removal, benefit from overall weight stability. Body weight and fat distribution impact facial fullness and skin texture, which in turn influence your overall appearance. Aim to maintain a stable, healthy weight by:

• Adopting balanced nutrition and regular, moderate exercise once your surgeon clears you for physical activity
• Avoiding low-calorie diets that may cause rapid weight changes, stretch your skin, or create new fat pockets
• Getting enough rest and drinking plenty of water to support natural healing and recovery

Avoid Prolonged Sun Exposure

Prolonged exposure to UV rays accelerates the aging process and may compromise the results of facial surgeries, such as facelifts and brow lifts. UV rays break down collagen and elastin, increasing the chances of wrinkles and changes in pigmentation. Use a surgeon-recommended sunscreen, preferably a broad-spectrum option with a higher SPF rating. Wear sunscreen at all times, even on cloudy days, and pair it with physical barriers like hats and sunglasses. Ask your surgeon before using any product to protect your skin and maintain surgery outcomes.

Schedule Timely Maintenance Treatments

Regular follow-ups and maintenance treatments are designed to monitor healing, assess scar formation, and check for signs of complications. Your outcomes may last several months or years, depending on the procedure, but will eventually succumb to the natural effects of aging. Proactive maintenance involves restoring the original appearance or adapting the look to match natural changes.

After a facelift, the surgeon may recommend periodic skin tightening treatments or dermal fillers to help maintain the lift without the need for additional surgery. Ask your surgeon for a personalized maintenance schedule to proactively manage results and changes. Utilize timely maintenance treatments to prevent minor concerns from escalating into major issues that necessitate more invasive procedures.

Establish a Healthy Lifestyle

Your daily habits affect long-term results, so establish a healthy lifestyle to avoid premature deterioration. Avoid or minimize habits, such as smoking, excessive alcohol, poor sleep, and unmanaged stress. These habits can slow down healing and accelerate the aging process of your skin. Surgeons may advise quitting smoking for a specified duration before and after surgery to improve blood flow and reduce complications. Practice an active lifestyle, but avoid overexertion, especially during the initial stages of recovery. You can use supportive therapies like lymphatic drainage massages to reduce swelling and improve contour following a liposuction or tummy tuck. Consult your surgeon first before attempting such therapies.

Start Planning Your Cosmetic Surgery Today

The outcomes of cosmetic procedures have varying lifespans, depending on how well you maintain them. Following the surgeon’s recommendations before and after surgery increases the chances of achieving your goals and maintaining the outcomes. Speak to a surgeon today to start planning your cosmetic surgery.